Victory Gardens, War Bonds, and Patriotism

I grew up during World War 2 when even the poorest among us raised a Victory Garden and bought war bonds.

I've often wondered while watching the news today

why the government no longer sells war bonds. Is it

ingenuous of me to think that would be one way to

decrease the U.S. budget deficit? Granted, movie

stars and famous folks hawked war bonds in that

era instead of protesting and taking pot shots like

they do now.

I know these are very different times, and that during World War 2 the war bonds were

affordable for just about everyone. We put pennies,

nickels and dimes in a jar and whenever enough

coins were accumulated, we bought a war bond.

This week my husband and I planted a Victory Garden. It isn't necessarily

dedicated to war victory, more like victory over ever increasing grocery prices

for the vegetables we prize. Even the famous store that will not be undersold

has raised prices so high we can barely afford to shop there on a fixed income.

Our garden is a raised bed organic garden, 10' X 10'. Potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, and peas will be planted in it. We learned from past experience that a garden that size will produce a LOT of veggies if the soil is prepared right.

Maybe it's my age, but it seems to me that America has forgotten what patriotism is and is not. I don't believe our country is always right, but we're blessed

here in ways that every country everywhere can see and understand. No matter how spoiled and weak we Americans seem to be, we rise to overcome whatever problem presents itself. That's why people come here legally, illegally, and any other way they can. They want a small piece of our blessings as a country. They want freedoms like the ones we enjoy and the ability to earn a living wage.

Our little Victory Garden behind the garage is a small gesture we make to show how we feel. Like my grandparents before me, I help with the labor of bringing our garden to fruition. We do it because we can, because we're free to use our property as we see fit, within legal parameters. Our garden represents

our support of American soldiers everywhere, and our willingness to sacrifice to better our lives and our country.

Now, if we could just buy war bonds, life will have come full circle for me, back to the years when Americans were hopeful, self-reliant, and proud.

An Exceptional Two Weeks For Me

First, I tied for first place in the New Squid category of the International Friendship Day contest on Squidoo with my Friends of the Heart lens. My prize is a Twitter page background created by a skilled graphic artist. Can't wait to see it!! You can view my page at http://www.squidoo.com/friendsoftheheart.

Second, I've been gone a week visiting the Rowe Sanctuary in central Nebraska, seeing Sand Hill Cranes up close and personal. The Platte River has always fascinated me. I get a sense there

of ancient times and places. Sand Hill Cranes have been on earth for millions of years. One 12 mile area of the Platte is now their migration flyway. They spend the day eating waste corn in harvested fields adjacent to the Platte. At sunrise they fly out to the fields. At sunset they return to the river to roost. The sight of thousands of cranes in flight or roosting on the river is beyond my ability to desribe.

Now I'm home, trying to document my thoughts before they fade. For more pictures and thoughts you can visit http://www.squidoo.com/sandhillcranes